LITTLE VILLAGE — Running saved Miguel Blancarte Jr.'s life.
The Little Village native has lost more than 200 pounds since he started the sport.
But he's taken it even further, competing for Team USA Endurance at this month's New York City Marathon, and on Sunday, he ran a personal best 4:05:25 in the Naperville Marathon. Blancarte, who now weighs "a very comfortable" 139 pounds, also became an ambassador for Fleet Feet Chicago — and created the website www.Toward180.com — so he can motivate others with his story.
"I truly feel that I have been given a second chance of life, and I am embracing opportunities that I never in my wildest dreams could have conceived," said Blancarte, 27, a Cristo Rey Jesuit High School graduate.
On Jan. 1, 2012, the 5-foot-7½-inch Blancarte weighed 344 pounds. He'd gotten to that point in part by eating giant portions of unhealthy foods like fry bread, cheeses, pizza, Italian beef sandwiches and baked goods. After conferring with a doctor, who told him he would not live past his mid-40s, Blancarte joined a gym and started running indoors and outside. From January to September of that year, he lost 180 pounds.
Justin Breen says a doctor's strong words inspired Blancarte:
The Brown University graduate finished his first 5K on Nov. 3, 2012, then started entering 8Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, 20-mile events and, eventually, the 2013 Chicago Marathon. This year also was highlighted by Blancarte running 200 consecutive days outside, and on Saturdays during that time he logged at least 13.1 miles.
He said being selected for the 25-member Team USA Endurance — which gives amateur athletes the opportunity to be a part of Team USA — was the "ultimate prize." He also got to take a "fun run" with team captains and marathon champions Meb Keflezighi and Tatyana McFadden before the race.
"This race embodied so much for and to me," Blancarte said. "Not only would I be running with 'Team USA' across my chest, with the American flag across my chest, but I would be running to represent my nation, my state, my city, my neighborhood of Little Village, my family and my last name."
For the last two-plus years, Blancarte has avoided fatty foods and now prefers homemade smoothies blending kale, spinach, broccoli, aloe, ginger, beets, carrots, a lemon or lime, chia and flax seeds, apple cider vinegar, a green apple, and half an orange with a bit of coconut water and ice. He also likes roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted or marinated beets.
Other healthy food options are available on hisToward180.com website, and Blancarte said he's always inspired to share his story.
"I realize that this is perhaps not something that everyone undergoes, and thus, I feel that it is my responsibility to give back, to help where and when I can," he said.
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